Little Information Revealed as Investigation of North Iowa Woman’s Death Continues
It’s been three weeks since a north Iowa woman’s body was found in a river about 15 miles north of Mason City and officials have yet to release any details of the investigation.
The Worth County Sheriff’s Office issued an update Friday that they continue to gather information on the death of 45-year-old Melissa Jo Olson of Northwood, whose body was found floating in the Shell Rock River near 390th Street and Raven Avenue on September 16th. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is assisting local officials with the investigation.
In a statement, Sheriff Dan Fank said, “The Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner and the Worth County Sheriff’s Office have been continuing to investigate and gather information as well as conduct further testing. Results from further testing and the completion of reports may take several weeks to finalize. We ask for your patience, as it is important to only provide accurate and verified information in any investigation. With any investigation it is important that misinformation is not disseminated and only verified facts.”
Officials are also still seeking help from the public in the investigation. If anyone was with Olson during the week prior to September 16th, or had observed a white female, with brown hair and approximately five-foot six-inches tall, walking in the area of 390th Street and Raven Avenue on September 15th or 16th, please contact the DCI or the Worth County Sheriff’s Office.
All information can be provided to DCI Special Agent Ryan Herman at (319)-217-1580 or Worth County Sheriff’s Deputy Bryon Olson at (641)-324-2481.
